AVERY  LIBRARY 

Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Columbia  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/buildingwithbricOOport 


BUILDING  WITH  BRICK 
and  HOLLOW  TILE 


Some  information  of  interest 
and  value  to  the  prospective 
builder  and  an 


ILLUSTRATED  CATALOG 

of 

Portco  Clay  Products 

COMMON  BRICK 
HOLLOW  TILE 

UNIVERSAL  UNIT  TILE 
BROOKS  FACED  TILE 


V  V  V 


Manufactured  by 

The  Port  Costa  Brick  Works 

Port  Costa,  California 

Main  Office:  808  Sharon  Building 
SAN  FRANCISCO,  CALIF. 

SUPPLY  f  411  Berry  Street,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

DEPOTS  l  3435  Wood  Street,  Oakland,  Cal. 


The  Purpose  of  this  Book 

FOR  those  who  have  the  slightest  interest  in  Brick  or 
Hollow  Tile  building  construction,  this  book  gives, 
briefly  but  clearly,  authoritative  information  that  will 
invariably  prove  valuable. 

Herein  is  recorded  the  interesting  story  of  brick  the 
time-tested  building  material  which,  with  its  modern 
adaptations,  has  continuously  grown  in  favor  since  man 
first  used  it  thousands  of  years  before  the  beginning  of  the 
Christian  era. 

And  not  only  is  the  reader  made  more  familiar  with  the 
present  enviable  standing  and  facilities  of  The  Port  Costa 
Brick  Works  but  the  full  line  of  Portco  Clay  Products  is  com¬ 
pletely  described  and  illustrated. 

Portco  Clay  Products  have  won  the  unqualified  approval 
of  discriminating  architects,  builders  and  building  owners 
ever  since  they  were  first  manufactured  more  than  a  quarter 
of  a  century  ago. 

C.  G.  BERG 
President 


The  Port  Costa  Brick  Works. 


Building  with  Brick  and  Hollow  Tile 

Common  Bnc\:  A  Brief  History 

THERE  is  probably  nothing  in  widespread  use  to-day  on  which  time  has 
placed  the  seal  of  its  approval  to  such  an  extent  as  on  common  brick.  Continu¬ 
ously  playing  an  important  part  in  the  growth  of  civilization,  the  historian 
finds  the  first  record  of  its  manufacture  and  use  in  building  in  3800  B.  C.  during 
the  time  of  the  ancient  Chaldean  empire.  There  is  no  knowing  how  long  before 
this  date  the  dwellers  along  the  ancient  rivers  such  as  the  Tigris  and  Euphrates 
learned  to  utilize  the  sun-baked  clay  at  the  water’s  edge. 

When  man  first  learned  to  burn  brick  and  so  turn  it  into  a  substance  as  hard 
and  more  durable  than  granite  we  do  not  know.  Brick  of  this  nature  was  used  at 
the  time  the  Tower  of  Babel  was  built  and  later,  during  the  reign  of  the  great 
Babylonian  king  Nebuchadnezzar  (550  B.  C.),  the  art  of  making  hard-burned  brick 
had  not  only  been  acquired  but  they  were  being  beautifully  enamelled.  This  art 
of  coloring  brick  was  highly  prized  and  received  royal  patronage. 

The  ancient  Assyrians,  Egyptians,  Greeks  and  Romans  all  made  wide  use  of 
the  convenience  and  durability  of  brick  in  building.  Brick  is  durable.  A  few  miles 
south  of  Cairo,  in  Egypt,  there  are  still  standing  two  brick  pyramids  that  were 
constructed  in  the  fifteenth  or  sixteenth  centuries  B.  C.  Many  beautiful  examples 
of  ancient  Babylonian  colored  brickwork  still  exist  in  various  museums. 

From  the  Romans,  Europe  learned  the  art  of  making  brick  and  wherever  suit¬ 
able  clay  was  abundant,  extensive  building  in  brick  was  continually  carried  on. 
The  Moors  in  Spam  proved  themselves  to  be  masters  of  the  art.  In  1509  brick¬ 
making  became  highly  perfected  in  England  and  when  London  was  destroyed  by 
fire  in  1666,  brick  buildings  replaced  the  former  wooden  structures.  Everyone  who 
has  travelled  in  England  remembers  the  splendid  examples  of  brick  architecture  so 
well  represented  by  the  comfort  and  dignity  of  fine  old  country  houses. 

Here  on  the  American  continent,  the  Spaniards  used  adobe  brickwork  in  Peru 
and  Mexico.  The  first  brick  houses  in  America  were  built  of  material  brought 
from  Holland  and  England.  As  early  as  1611  the  brick  industry  was  established  in 
Virginia  and  from  that  date  to  the  present,  a  fuller  appreciation  of  the  artistic 
possibilities  of  brick  has  resulted  in  a  steadily  growing  vogue  so  that  to-day  our 
leading  architects  are  using  to  excellent  advantage  a  wide  variety  of  beautiful  color 
tones  and  textures  in  the  time-honored  brick  wall.  This  book  illustrates  a  few 
examples  of  the  character  and  artistic  appeal  which  modern  brick  construction 
makes  possible. 

NATURE'S  BEST  MATERIAL  MADE  BETTER 


While  Nature  has  put  clay  to  severe  trials  in  the  formation  of  the  earth,  man 
subjects  it  to  further  vicissitudes  in  the  form  of  intense  heat  which  transforms  it 
into  a  substance  of  which  Sir  Charles  Lyell  in  his  “Antiquity  of  Man”  says: 

[Page  three 


Kappa  Sigma  Fraternity  House ,  Berkeley,  California  DemUmi  Mason  Contractor 

C.  C.  Dakin,  Architect 


Page  four 


“Granite  disintegrates  and  crumbles  into  mica,  quartz  and  feldspar  (the  base  of 
clay);  marble  soon  moulders  into  dust  of  carbonate  of  lime;  but  hard,  welbburnt 
clay  endures  forever  in  the  ancient  landmarks  of  mankind.” 

it  is  a  long  step  from  the  early  primitive  methods  of  hand  manufacture  and  sum- 
baking  to  the  present  highly  technical  methods  such  as  are  employed  at  the  modern 
plant  of  The  Port  Costa  Brick  Works.  The  skilled  handling  of  an  extraordinarily 
high  grade  deposit  of  shale  and  the  application  of  various  heat  treatments  produces 
at  this  plant  not  only  an  endless  variety  of  exquisite  shadings  and  colors  but  a  sur¬ 
prising  degree  of  durability.  When  you  select  a  fine  brick  you  not  only  get  a 
product  which  Nature  has  taken  ages  to  mature  but  one  which  the  best  scientific 
knowledge  of  man  has  improved. 

America  leads  the  world  in  the  production  of  bricks  that  provide  a  wide  range 
of  artistic  color  schemes.  No  longer  is  it  necessary  to  live  in  buildings  of  dull,  un¬ 
attractive  appearance.  The  durability  of  brick  is  available  in  a  veritable  symphony 
of  color  and  in  a  variety  of  pleasing  textures. 


THE  BASIC  REQUIREMENTS  IN  BUILDING 


In  the  planning  of  every  building  there  are  three  basic  requirements  which  must 
never  be  overlooked.  First  there  is  utility  or  the  proper 
arrangement  of  the  inner  parts  so  that  they  adequately 
suit  their  purpose.  Second,  there  is  the  durability 
that  justifies  the  investment  of  time,  care  and 
money  involved  in  all  construction.  And 
third,  there  is  the  beauty  which  satisfies 
the  sense  of  artistic  attractiveness.  The 
first  requirement  depends  on  the 
skill  with  which  the  building  has 
been  planned.  The  second  and 


third  requirements  depend  largely, 
if  not  almost  entirely,  on  the  ma¬ 
terials  selected. 

Now  we  begin  to  understand 
why  brick  is  being  so  widely  spec¬ 
ified.  For  structural  reasons  - — 
strength  and  durability — and  for 
artistic  reasons  beauty  and  charm 
of  appearance  -brick  is  not  sur¬ 
passed  by  any  other  building  material. 

The  history  of  architecture  proves  the 
structural  and  artistic  success  that  has 
been  obtained  in  constructing  monumental 
buildings  of  brick. 


Main  Entrance — Hebrew  Home  and  Hospital 
for  Aged  Disabled 

Samuel  Lightner  Hyman,  Architect 
Reed  6“  Reed,  Mason  Coritractors 


Page  five 


I 


Hebrew  Home  and  Hospital  for  Aged  Disabled,  San  Francisco ,  California 

,  .  ,  a  i  r  R«r«ra  Reed,  Mason  Contrac'ors 

el  Lightner  Hyman,  Architect 


Thomas  J.  Kent,  Architect 

Page  six 


Residence  of  Harold  K  Larsen,  Monterey  Heights.  San  Francisco,  California^  ^  ^ 


No  other  material  is  so  versatile  in  its  ability  to  portray  individuality.  In  the 
palace  of  the  king  and  in  the  cottage  of  the  peasant,  brick  is  being  adapted  to 
express  the  character  desired.  It  pays  to  use  brick,  if  only  because  it  gives  the 
greatest  degree  of  individual  satisfaction. 

Few  people  realize  that  brick  is  useful  in  both  interiors  as  well  as  exteriors,  yet 
large  quantities  of  brick  are  used  in  an  endless  variety  of  ways  in  charmingly 
decorative  interior  finishes.  In  churches,  public  buildings,  great  hallways,  or  in 
residences  wherever  it  is  desired  to  combine  permanence  with  light,  cheerful, 
decorative  effects,  some  of  the  many  brick  finishes  and  wall  patterns  are  being 
used  with  excellent  effect.  Every  home  should  have  a  beautiful  brick  fireplace. 
Then  too,  there  are  an  endless  number  of  supplementary  uses  for  brick  in  beauti- 
tying  house  surroundings,  garden  walls,  gateways  and  walks,  steps  and  porches. 
All  are  greatly  enhanced  in  appearance  and  in  permanence  by  the  use  of  a  well- 
selected  brick. 

When  we  consider  the  endless  variety  of  color  schemes,  pattern  combinations 
and  colors  of  mortar  joints  we  realize  that,  as  we  have 
already  said,  brick  can  satisfy  the  most  diverse,  artistic 
taste.  Since  the  color  of  brick  is  an  integral  part,  it 
can  not  fade. 

BRICK  IS  FIREPROOF 

The  size  and  shape  of  brick  not  only  make  for 
pleasing  appearance  but  since  they  are  built  one 
by  one  into  a  solid  wall  they  provide  maximum 
strength.  Hardened  and  matured  by  intense 
heat  they  are  an  everlasting  material,  since 
neither  fire  nor  weather  can  affect  them.  The 
upright  brick  walls  and  chimneys  after  a  fire 
stand  as  mute  witnesses  of  their  permanence. 

Since  practically  all  other  building 
materials  that  are  untested  by  fire  in 
their  preparation  will  crack  or  disinte¬ 
grate — even  iron  and  steel  will  melt 
brick  may  be  considered  as  the  one 
strictly  fireproof  building  material. 

Every  building  has  some  combustible 
material,  but  by  wise  selection  of  these 
materials,  the  fire  risk  can  be  reduced 
to  a  minimum  with  the  consequent 
saving  in  insurance  premiums.  Every 
brick  you  put  into  your  building  adds 
just  so  much  to  its  fire-safety.  w,n, 


Residence  of  Emil  E.  Gloor ,  Berkeley 
C.  Lowe,  Architect  Emil  E.  Cl oo 


California 

,  Mason  Contr, 


Page  seven 


Residence  of  Emil  E.  Gloor ,  Berkeley,  California 

Willis  C.  Louc,  Architect  Emil  E.  Gloor,  Mason  Contractor 


THE  ECONOMY  OF  BUILDING  WITH  BRICK 

Many  people  who  have  never  looked  into  the  matter  have  the  erroneous  idea 
that  a  brick  building,  however  desirable  it  might  be,  is  costly.  True,  the  first  cost 
of  a  brick  building  is  a  little  more  than  that  of  a  frail  wood  or  stucco  structure. 
It  costs  such  a  little  more  though,  and  is  worth  such  a  great  deal  more,  from  so 
many  different  points  of  view  that,  in  the  end,  brick  is  far  more  economical.  When 
we  give  full  consideration  to  such  important  factors  as  reduced  upkeep  expense, 
reduced  depreciation,  fire-safety  and  lower  insurance  rates  and  comfort  with 
resulting  advantages  to  health,  we  quickly  see  that  there  is  no  doubt  about  the 
economy  of  brick  construction,  even  if  we  discount  the  permanent  satisfaction  it 
always  provides. 

Since  the  brick  house  only  requires  painting  on  exposed  woodwork  in  doors, 
windows  and  outside  trim,  you  can  estimate  the  substantial  saving  over  the  paint- 

Page  eight 


ing  of  even  a  moderate  sized  trame  house,  which  would  run  to  at  least  $250 
Added  to  this  are  the  various  repairs  required  by  the  cracking  and  decaying  ot 
other  building  materials. 

Depreciation,  a  separate  item  from  upkeep,  has  been  appraised  at  one  percent 
a  year,  beginning  alter  the  first  five  years.  Contrast  this  with  a  frame  house  which 
depreciates  from  the  day  it  is  finished  at  the  rate  of  two  or  three  percent  annually. 

BRICK  CONSTRUCTION  INSURES  COMFORT  AND  HEALTH 

Wind  and  cold  are  the  two  influences  that  interfere  most  with  comfort  and 
health  in  every  building.  The  brick  house  affords  maximum  protection,  because 
brick  is  such  a  poor  conductor  of  both  cold  and  heat,  that  the  brick  building  is 
cool  in  summer  and  warm  in  winter.  As  a  saver  of  fuel  alone  the  brick  building 
deserves  full  consideration. 

When  the  whole  matter  is  summed  up  we  find  that  from  every  point  of  view 
strength,  .durability,  appearance  and  economy  -  no  other  building  material  can 
make  such  meritorious  claims  for  its  use  in  the  construction  of  any  permanent 
building.  There  is  no  substitute  for  brick. 


Harrison  Street  School,  San  Francisco 

John  Reid,  Jr.,  Architect  Emil  Hogberg,  Mason  Contractor 

Page  nine 


A  word  about  the  Port  Costa  Brick  W orks 

IN  selecting  brick  one  is  almost  entirely  dependent  on  the  facilities  and  reputa- 
tion  of  the  plant  where  it  is  manufactured.  It  would  be  difficult  to  find  a  brick 
works  more  ideally  suited  to  the  production  of  high-grade  brick  than  the  Port 
Costa  Brick  Works. 

Its  modern  plant  at  Port  Costa,  California,  is  ideally  located  with  regard  to  the 
territory  it  serves  Northern  California  and  Oregon.  Situated  at  tidewater  on 
Suisun  Bay,  all  bay  points  are  served  economically  by  barge,  while  direct  rail 
facilities  help  tend  to  minimize  freight  expense. 

Founded  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago.  The  Port  Costa  Brick  Works 
has  enjoyed  a  steadily  increasing  business.  Portco  Products  have  achieved  an 
enviable  reputation.  This  steady  growth  and  prestige  is  the  natural  result  of  the 
policy  of  high  quality  combined  with  interested  service  to  all  brick  users,  in¬ 
augurated  when  the  first  batch  left  the  kiln. 

The  following  pages  give  a  detailed,  illustrated  description  of  the  complete  line 
of  Portco  Clay  Products. 

No  brick  can  be  any  better  than  the  material  from  which  it  is  manufactured. 
The  outstanding  feature  of  Portco  Brick  is  the  exceptional  quality  of  the  material 
from  which  it  is  made.  At  Port  Costa,  California,  there  is  a  unique  deposit  of 
shale  that  has  been  the  envy  of  brick  manufacturers  ever  since  it  was  discovered. 

The  special  advantage  of  this  shale  lies  in  the  fact  that  it  burns  into  the  most 
beautiful  rich  shades  of  color  that  build  up  into  delightful  wall  surfaces.  All  over 
the  territory  served  by  this  plant,  Port  Costa  Brick  is  in  demand  because  architects 
and  experienced  builders  realize  that  it  is  not  possible  to  obtain  brick  with  a  better 
color — and,  everything  else  being  equal,  richness  of  color  is  of  prime  importance. 

Combined  with  the  outstanding  color  richness  of  Portco  Brick,  there  is  the 
further  advantage  of  Portco  care  in  handling  and  delivery.  This  high  degree  of 
carefulness  means  that  every  shipment  of  Portco  Brick  can  be  depended  on  to  have 
the  least  possible  loss  due  to  breakage. 

At  every  stage  of  manufacture  Portco  Brick  is  subjected  to  rigid  standards  of 
inspection  so  that  every  brick  that  leaves  the  modern  Hoffman  continuous  kiln  is 
as  near  perfect  as  it  is  humanly  possible  to  make  it.  Then,  too,  users  of  Portco 
Brick  have  the  benefit  of  the  Portco  high  standard  of  service  and  co-operation 
which  means  that  when  you  select  Portco  Brick  you  secure  the  full  benefit  of  the 
resources  of  the  Portco  organization.  You  are  helped,  in  every  way,  to  secure  the 
fullest  possible  measure  of  permanent  satisfaction  from  all  the  Portco  Brick  that 
you  use. 

Page  ten 


Portco  Common  Brick 


THE  selection  ot  Portco  Common  Brick  ensures  a  wide  variety  of  supremely 
attractive  brick  wall  surface'tone  combinations.  Added  to  this  advantage  is 
the  fact  that  the  natural  richness  of  all  Portco  Brick  may  be  enhanced  and  still 
further  varied  by  the  judicious  selection  of  harmonious  mortar  color  for  the  )oints. 

Portco  Common  Brick  is  manufactured  in  five  different  types:  Red  Brick 
(Common),  Select  Brick  (Common),  Blue  Brick,  Black  Headers,  and  Klinker  Brick. 
Each  of  these  five  types  is  of  the  same  high  quality  Portco  quality  and  sub' 
jected  to  the  same  high  standards  of  workmanship  and  the  same  rigid  inspections. 

The  six  panels  illustrated  below  give  some  indication  of  the  wide  variety  ot 
combinations  that  are  possible  with  the  four  different  types  of  Portco  Common 
Brick. 


Portco  Select  Red  Common  Bnc\ 


Portco  Select  Common  Reds  and  Blacl(  Headers 


BanpoiinieaBi 


Portco  Blue  Brtc\  Portco  Klinger  Br\c\ 


Page  eleven 


LARSEN  &  LARSEN 

CONTRACTORS 

1 106-1  107  HEARST  BUILDING 
=*HONE  KEARNV  2457 
SAN  FRANCISCO.  CALIF 

San  Francisco,  Calif. 
November  19,  1925. 

SUBJECT:  Compression  Test  -  4  brick  cubes 
Taken  from  new  Sacramento  Station  Building 

MB.  GEO.  W.  BOSCHKE: 

Herewith,  results  of  compression  test  on  3  brick 
cubes  :  Cubes  marked  "A",  "B"  and  "C"  having  been  npde 
from  bricks  used  in  the  new  Southern  Pacific  Station 
Building  at  Sacramento. 

COMPRESSION  Tj.ST  BRICK  CUBeS 


Mark  of  Cubes 

"A"  wet 

“B"med.  wet 

"C“  drv 

Dimensions 

8x8 

8x8 

8x3 

Area  per  sq.  in. 

64 

64 

64 

Actual  load 

20068 

19717 

15834 

Lbs.  per  Sq.  In. 

3136 

3081 

2470 

B.  STANKOVICH, 

Port  Costa  Brick  'Yorks,  Cement  Tester, 

San  Francisco,  Calif.  Southern  Pacific  Co. 

Att'n.  Mr.  Berg: 

This  is  a  result  of  the  test  of  the  Common 
3rick  you  furnished  us  for  the  new  Southern  Pacific. 
Passenger  Depot,  Sacramento,  California. 

LARSEN  AND  LARSEN. 


Recent  tests  at  the  Columbia  University  show  that  a  one,  one,  six  mortar  mix  gives  a  crushing  strength  of 
at  least  3 100  pounds  to  the  square  inch 


Page  twelve 


Brick  Bonds 

Bonding  of  brickwork  is  a  very  important  item  to  be  considered  in  securing  a 
durable  wall  that  will  withstand  both  in  compression  and  tension. 

The  two  fundamental  bonds  are  Flemish  Bond  and  English  Bond,  of  which 
practically  all  other  bonds  are  simply  variations. 

FLEMISH  BOF{D  consists  of  alternate  stretchers  and  headers  in  each  course, 
with  headers  centering  over  the  stretcher  in  the  course  below. 

English  Bond  consists  of  alternating  courses  of  headers  and  courses  of  stretchers 
with  headers  centered  over  stretchers,  having  both  headers  and  stretchers  in 
vertical  alignment. 

AMERICAN  BOA[D  is  laid  with  stretchers  throughout,  except  at  every 
sixth  course  where  headers  or  bond  courses  are  introduced.  The  usual  practice  is 
to  use  all  headers  in  these  bond  courses,  but  they  may  be  laid  with  headers  and 
stretchers  alternating.  This  latter  method  is  what  is  known  as  Flemish  Header 
Course,  and  is  used  on  the  outer  face  of  the  wall  so  as  to  avoid  the  set  dividing 
line  of  the  albheader  course.  This,  however,  does  not  constitute  as  strong  a  bond, 
although  it  has  a  better  appearance. 

Other  types  of  bonds,  which  are  all  variations  of  the  three  above  mentioned, 
are  Running  Bond  with  blind  joint  headers,  Running  Header  Bond,  English  Cross 
Bond,  Double  Stretcher  Flemish  Bond,  Flemish  Cross  Bond,  Flemish  Spiral  Bond 
and  Garden  Wall  Bond. 

MORTAR 

Mortar  must  function  in  several  ways.  It  must  first  hold  the  bricks  apart  and 
provide  a  uniform  bearing  for  the  units,  and  at  the  same  time  it  must  have  the 
quality  of  holding  the  bricks  together  to  form  a  cohesive,  durable  mass.  It  must 
fill  all  voids  to  exclude  the  elements  and,  also,  it  must  have  sufficient  strength  to 
resist  the  maximum  load  at  the  lowest  mortar  joint  without  distortion.  The  ease 
with  which  mortar  can  be  handled  is  the  greatest  factor  entering  into  the  number 
of  bricks  which  can  be  laid  by  a  bricklayer  in  a  day  and,  also,  the  ultimate  cost. 

Mortar  should  be  so  proportioned  that  the  right  amount  of  plasticity  is  main¬ 
tained  for  easily  bedding  and  shoving  the  bricks  to  place  without  sacrificing  the 
cohesive  and  adhesive  qualities.  Such  a  mortar,  therefore,  must  have  the  proper 
proportions  of  lime,  cement  and  sand,  and  the  Port  Costa  Brick  Company  recom- 

Page  thirteen 


mends  a  mortar  mix  in  the  proportion  of  one  part  Portland  cement,  one  part  lime 
putty,  and  six  parts  well  graded,  clean  mortar  sand,  as  being  capable  of  fulfilling 
all  of  the  above  requirements. 


COHESIVE  AND  ADHESIVE  QUALITIES 
OF  A  ONE,  ONE,  SIX  MORTAR 


i. 

it  ft® 


4 


-  .1 

i 

/jW 


i 


The  illustrations  below  show  in  a 
simple,  conclusive  manner  the  cohesive 
and  adhesive  qualities  of  a  one,  one,  six 
mortar  mix.  An  old  brick  smokestack 
was  used  as  the  ground  work  for  this 
test.  The  brick  were 
stifTmud,  wire-cut 
common  brick,  wet 
before  laying  into  a 
beam  at  right  angles 
to  the  stack.  This 
beam  was  supported 
on  trestles  for  28 
days.  On  removal  of 
the  trestle  these 


photographs  were  taken  and  show  that  the  mortar  bond  was 
sufficiently  strong  to  support  the  stress  of  a  man’s  weight  of 
198  pounds. 


Page  fourteen 


Portco  Hollow  Tile 

HOLLOW  BUILDING  TILE  has  such  a  wide  variety  of  uses  and  so  many 
outstanding  advantages  as  a  modern  building  material  that  its  use  is  steadily 
increasing.  The  unusually  high  quality  ot  the  Port  Costa  shale  deposit  is  utilized 
in  the  manufacture  of  PORTCO  HOLLOW  TILE  which  is  now  widely  specihed 
by  leading  architects. 

Portco  Hollow  Tile  provides  easily-erected,  enduring  masonry  construction  at 
minimum  initial  cost  and  with  a  minimum  oi  maintenance  cost,  since  there  is  no 
depreciation  of  the  material  itself.  While  it  has  all  the  desirable  features  of  brick 
permanence,  strength,  fire-resistance—  it  has  the  added  advantages  of  dead-air 
insulation  (which  is  in  itself  of  prime  importance)  and  of  substantial  savings  in 
labor  costs.  It  provides  lightness  combined  with  surplus  strength. 

Since  one  Hollow  Tile  can  equal  from  three  to  twenty-one  brick  (depending  on 
its  dimensions)  it  will  be  seen  that  it  makes  possible  quicker  construction.  Portco 
Hollow  Tile  is  procurable  in  a  variety  of  carefully  designed  sizes  and  shapes  to 
provide  for  all  usual  requirements. 

The  hard-burned  material  of  which  Portco  Clay  Products  are  made — similar  in 
composition  to  the  brick  materials  that  have  withstood  the  ravages  of  time  and 
the  elements  for  thousands  of  years-  prevents  absorption.  Portco  Hollow  Tile 
makes  dry  walls  and,  for  this  reason,  is  widely  used  for  cellars  and  residence 
foundations. 

The  most  outstanding  feature  of  Portco  Hollow  Tile  is,  of  course,  the  insulation 
which  ensures  the  highest  obtainable  degree  of  health  and  comfort  since  the  dead 
air  space  in  the  center  of  a  Hollow  Tile  wall  neutralizes  the  effects  of  outside 
temperatures.  Added  to  the  non-leakage  of  a  Hollow  Tile  wall  and  the  insulation 
it  provides,  there  is  the  further  fact  that  no  leakage  can  occur  around  door  and 
window  frames  that  are  properly  set. 

There  is  a  wide  variety  of  standard  shapes  of  Hollow  Tile  and  all  are  available 
in  Portco  quality.  In  addition  to  the  extensive  range  of  sizes  and  shapes  carefully 
planned  to  meet  all  conceivable  requirements  of  the  building  trade,  there  is  a  full 
complement  of  special  shapes  for  corners,  starters,  jambs,  sills,  etc. 

The  same  high  standards  of  workmanship,  the  same  quality  of  materials  and  the 
same  attention  to  inspection  that  has  made  Portco  Brick  so  much  in  demand  are 
incorporated  in  every  Portco  Hollow  Tile. 

The  following  pages  show  the  full  range  of  Portco  Hollow  Tile  in  isometric 
drawings.  Note  that  all  tile  shown  is  corrugated.  Smooth  face  Portco  Hollow 
Tile  in  all  shapes  and  sizes  may  be  obtained  on  order. 


Page  fifteen 


Sizes  and  Shapes  of  Portco  Hollow  Tile 


Tile  No.  1 — 8"  wide,  5*2" 
high  and  12"  long.  This  tile  is 
for  use  in  all  8"  load-bearing 
or  filler  walls  and  for  greater 
thicknesses  of  walls  when  used 
with  other  sizes  of  tile.  Two 
pieces  make  a  square  foot  of 
8"  wall. 


Tile  No.  5 — An  8"  jamb  tile 
also  known  as  full  jamb  tile. 
For  use  in  8"  walls. 


Tile  No.  2 — 8"  wide,  5‘2" 
high  and  5 1  long.  A  load- 
bearing  tile  for  working  out 
ends  and  other  places  where 
half  an  8"  tile  is  needed.  It  is 
also  used  for  closure  tile  where 
bond  is  broken. 


Tile  No.  6 — An  8 "half  jamb 
tile  used  in  8"  walls. 


Tile  No.  3 — 8"  wide,  5'j" 
high  and  12"  long.  This  is  a 
load-bearing  tile  used  for  a 
closure  and  is  used  with  Tile 
No.  2  for  breaking  bond. 


Tile  No.  4 — A  special  8 "cor¬ 
ner  tile.  The  dimensions  are 
shown  on  the  illustration. 
This  corner  tile  is  more  sub¬ 
stantial  and  of  stouter  con¬ 
struction  than  block  No.  10. 


Tile  No.  7 — A  sill  tile  for  8" 
and  12"  walls. 


Tile  No.  8 — 33i"  wide,  5'A* 
high  and  12"  long.  This  is 
known  as  a  4"  building  tile 
and  is  for  load-bearing  walls 
and  backing  purposes.  It  is 
used  in  conjunction  with  Tile 
No.  1  for  12"  walls. 


Page  sixteen 


Siz,es  and  Shapes  of  Portco  Hollow  Tile — Cont. 


Tile  No.  9 — 9h"  wide,  5‘/ 
high  and  5'/>"  long.  For  work¬ 
ing  out  ends  and  closures  in 
connection  with  Tile  No.  8, 
as  well  as  in  12"  walls  with 
Tile  No.  1. 


Tile  No.  10 — A  corner  tile. 
Can  be  used  for  corner  con¬ 
struction  in  conjunction  with 
tiles  No.  1  and  No.  8. 


Tile  No.  IT  This  is  known 
as  a  bungalow  tile  for  walls  6" 
thick  or  in  multiples  of  6". 
The  webs  are  extra  heavy  for 
load-bearing  purposes.  Two 
pieces  to  the  square  foot  of  6" 
wall. 


Tile  No.  12- -This  is  half  of 
a  regular  6"  bungalow  tile  for 
use  in  breaking  bonds  and  can 
also  be  used  as  a  closure. 


Tile  No.  13 — This  is  a  corner 
block  for  6"  bungalow  tile  and 
also  serves  as  a  closure  tile. 
Thjs  tile  can  also  be  used  as  a 
bonding  tile  in  12"  walls  built 
of  two  courses  of  bungalow- 
tile. 


Tile  No.  14  -A  partition  tile 
for  3"  partitions. 


Tile  No.  16 — One-fourth  of  a 
3"  partition  tile. 


Tile  No.  17 — A  partition  tile 
for  4"  partitions. 


Tile  No.  18 — Half  of  a  4" 
partition  tile. 


Page  seventeen 


Siz,es  and  Shapes  of  Portco  Hollow  Tile — Con t. 


Tile  No.  19 — One-fourth  of  a 
4"  partition  tile. 


Tile  No.  24 — 8"  x  12"  x  6" — 
One-half  ot  an  8"  partition  or 
bearing  tile. 


Tile  No.  20 — A  partition  tile 
for  6"  partitions. 


Tile  No.  21 — One-half  of  a 
6"  partition  tile. 


Tile  No.  22 — 6"  x  12"  x  3" — 
One-fourth  of  a  6"  partition 
tile. 


Tile  No.  23—8"  x  12"  x  12" 
For  8"  partition.  Can  also  be 
used  for  8"  bearing  wall. 


Tile  No.  25 — 8"  x  12"  x  3" — 
One-fourth  of  an  8"  partition 
or  bearing  tile. 


Furring  Tile — Before  divid- 
mg. 


Furring  Tile — After  divid¬ 
ing. 


Furring  Tile  split. 

Tile  No.  26 — 1 1  /  x  12"  x  12" 
Tile  No.  27 — 2"  x  12”  x  12" 


Tile  No.  28  solid  furring  tile 
— 2"  x  12"  x  12". 

This  tile  serves  three  pur¬ 
poses — a  partition  tile,  furring 
tile  and  column  covering  tile. 


Page  eighteen 


Details  of  Construction  Hollow  Building  Tile 


Jamb  Construction  for  6"  Bungalow  Tile 
Wall.  Doorjamb  in  6"  wall  showing  method 
of  using  closure  and  half  building  tile  in 
working  up  to  openings. 


Corner  Construction  8"  Wall. 

Showing  use  of  special  corner  tile  No.  4- 


Window  Jamb  Construction  in  8" 
Wall.  Detail  of  window  jamb  and 
sill  showing  the  use  of  three  special 
shapes,  window  jamb  tile,  half  jamb 
tile  and  sill  tile.  These  two  diagrams 
show  the  importance  of  breaking 
joints  half  way  making  a  6"  bond. 


January  26th,  1926 


Results  of  tests  on  samples  of  Clay  Building  Tile 
submitted  by  PORT  COSTA  BRICK  '.YORKS,  808  Sharon 
Building,  San  Francisco,  California, Jan .15,  1926. 

Size  of  tile:  oi"  x  8"  x  12"  :  mean  thickness  of  rails 

Absorption 


Compression 
Lb  . — Ult . 


Bending 
Lo  .-Ult . 


2  . 

3. 

4. 


197,200 
228 , 000 


average  per  sq.inch 
In  compression  LJ14  IPs. 


7.3 

7.4 


7,300 

4,000 


Absorption  determined  by  drying  to  constant  weight  and  then 
immersing  in  boiling  water  for  five  hours. 


Compression  test 
(1  and  2) 


Bending  test 

(4 


[  SICKED  U/l/ 


Page  nineteen 


DETAILS  OF  CONSTRUCTION 

and  General  Information  Pertaining  to 

UNIVERSAL  UNIT  TILE 


Page  twenty 


— JAMB 
HEAD 


MICK  SILL  DETAIL 


BILL 

DODDLE  HUNG 
WINDOW  DETAILS 

•  TK  e.  on  a  unit  • 

•  forms  ihcm  alt  * 


•  COLNE*.  DETAIL  * 

Mote  Sumplt  ciT)  ,  strength.  %  perfect  bond 


0  1  LL 

CASEMENT. 
WINDOW  DETAILS- 

Note  the  mlar  locking 
bond  around  openings. 


Pace  twenty-one 


A  Few  Shapes  into  which  the  Universal  Unit  Tile  can  Readily  be  Cut 


FACTS  AND  FIGURES 


One  size  and  shape  only  for  all  standard  thick¬ 
nesses  of  walls  and  details  of  construction. 

Face  size  of  each  unit  Sy/  long  by  8y"  high 
by  8"  in  thickness. 

Two  units  lay  a  face  foot  of  8"  wall  exclusive 
of  mortar. 

Three  units  lay  a  face  foot  of  wall  13"  in 
thickness  exclusive  of  mortar. 

Four  are  required  for  a  17"  wall,  etc. 

A  proportion  of  the  units  are  scored  vertically 
so  they  can  readily  be  broken  into  thirds  and 
halves  or  certain  special  shapes  for  starting 
jambs,  receiving  floor  joists,  providing  chases  for 
pipes,  etc.  If  they  are  not  needed  for  this  purpose 
they  can  be  used  as  whole  tile. 

The  tile  and  sections  interlock  and  interbond 
around  openings,  etc.  No  ties  or  bonding  metal 
required. 

UNIVERSAL  UNIT  TILE  are  much 
stronger  than  other  types  of  hollow  tile,  because 
all  webs  are  always  in  line  and  are  very  short. 


The  tile  forms  a  superior  foundation  for  stuc¬ 
co,  they  bond  perfectly  with  brick  veneer,  or 
they  can  be  supplied  smooth  or  in  a  variety  of 
surfaces  as  exterior  or  interior  finish.  Many 
interesting  exterior  effects  can  be  secured  by 
combining  brick  with  tile. 

Made  only  in  one  size  and  one  shape. 

Units  can  readily  be  broken  with  a  trowel 
into  every  shape  required  for  building. 

The  lap-joint  is  the  only  waterproof  joint. 
The  UNIVERSAL  UNIT  is  the  only  practical 
lap-joint  tile  ever  devised. 

It  possesses  all  the  advantages  of  other  types 
of  hollow  tile,  with  the  complications  elimin¬ 
ated. 

Cheap  enough  for  a  cottage;  strong  enough 
for  a  warehouse. 

Approved  and  endorsed  by  Engineers,  Con¬ 
tractors,  Building  Inspectors  and  Masons 
wherever  it  has  been  used  or  demonstrated. 


Page  twenty-two 


Exclusive  Features  of 

The  Universal  Unit 


One  size  and  one  shape  only  lor  all  thicknesses  of  walls  and  details 
of  construction. 

The  only  tile  that  can  be  cut  into  brick  sizes  with  a  trowel  for  any 
shape  required  in  any  building  operation. 

The  only  tile  that  positively  prevents  frost  and  dampness  being 
carried  through  the  walls. 

The  simplest  form  of  interlocking  tile  and  it  really  interlocks. 

The  double  horizontal  mortar  beds,  offset  and  lower  on  exterior  side 
of  wall,  provides  the  best  form  of  fireproof  construction. 

Forms  perfect  bond  at  openings  between  jambs  and  wall  tiles. 

The  easiest  tile  to  lay.  It  can  be  handled  and  placed  with  one  hand. 

Complies  with  all  building  ordinances  for  loadTearing  walls  wherever 
tile  for  this  purpose  is  permitted. 

Quantity  calculations  the  simplest  of  any  type  of  hollow  building 
tile. 

Builds  the  simplest,  lightest,  quickest  and  cheapest  load'bearing  and 
interlocking  walls,  of  any  required  thickness. 


One  Universal  Unit  Tile 
lays  the  equivalent  of 
six  brick  with  mortar  joint 


A  * 


/NG 


Page  twenty-three 


Entrance  View,  Residence  D.  S.  Broods,  San  Francisco,  California,  Showing  how  Broods  Faced  FIollow  Tile  lends  itself  to 

this  picturesque  setting 

H.  H.  Gutterson,  Architect 


Page  twenty-four 


Brooks  Faced  Hollow  Tile 


Requires  no  Stucco  or  Plaster 


BROOKS  FACED  HOLLOW  TILE  may  well  be  called  a  building  material 
de  luxe.  While  it  has  all  the  advantages  of  Portco  Hollow  Tile,  it  has  the 
added  features  of  a  hand-finished  ornamental  surface  and  a  richness  and  delicacy 
of  coloring  which  provide  a  degree  of  artistry,  in  both  interior  as  well  as  exterior 
walls,  that  has  never  before  been  possible  in  a  material  of  similar  strength  and 
permanence. 

The  surface  finish  of  Brooks  Faced  Hollow  Tile  closely  resembles  that  of  the 
stone  of  which  the  world-famous  Kennil worth  Castle  in  England  is  built.  In 
combination  with  the  remarkable  richness  of  coloring,  made  possible  by  skillful 
firing  and  the  peculiar  qualities  of  the  Port  Costa  shale  deposit  materials,  the 
inherent  beauty  of  this  finish  has  given  Brooks  Faced  Tile  a  wide  vogue  wher¬ 
ever  the  ultimate  in  artistic  effect  is  desired. 

In  addition  to  its  extensive  use  as  a  masonry  wall  for  the  exterior  of  all  buildings 
where  appearance  is  a  chief  consideration,  Brooks  Faced  Hollow  Tile  is  also  the 
final  selection  for  many  interiors.  As  a  background  for  pictures  and  because  of  its 
unequalled  harmony  with  the  period  architectural  effects  and  period  furniture 


Kenilworth  Castle,  Warttncl(shire,  England 


Page  twenty-five 


H.  H.  Gurterson,  Arzhncct 
Page  twenty-six 


Delightful  Interior,  Residence  of  D  S.  Broods,  San  Francisco,  California 


Judge  Beasley's  Residence ,  Claremont ,  California.  Built  of  Broods  Faced  Hollow  Tile 


Williams  O*  Wdstell,  Architects 


now  so  much  desired,  its  sheer  beauty  is  unsurpassed.  Not  the  least  ot  the  charm 
that  it  lends  to  an  interior  is  an  added  touch  of  distinction  a  long-sought  freedom 
from  the  conventionality  of  the  usual  plaster  with  wallpaper  or  paint.  A  wall  of 
Brooks  Faced  Tile  completely  meets  all  the  canons  of  good  taste  and  satisfies  the 
natural  desire,  among  discerning  people,  for  the  uncommon.  The  wall  itself  has 
become  a  most  modern  and  much  sought-for  wall  finish. 

Brooks  Faced  Hollow  Tile  is  not  limited  to  any  one  style  of  architecture.  It  lends 
its  attractiveness  and  durability  equally  well  to  both  bungalow  and  skyscraper. 

In  many  cases,  Brooks  Faced  Hollow  Tile  enables  an  owner  to  secure  a  com¬ 
pletely  enduring  and  fireproof  structure  for  less  than  if  a  stuccoed  frame  were 
used  because  the  initial  cost  of  a  surface  finishing  as  well  as  its  future  maintenance 
cost  are  eliminated.  There  is  never  any  depreciation  of  the  material  itself.  It  never 
requires  painting  and  it  eliminates — forever-  the  repairs  continually  necessitated 
by  plastered  walls.  The  fire-hardened  surface  of  Brooks  Tile  makes  it  especially 
desirable  for  halls  and  lobbies  in  public  buildings  where  great  wear  occurs.  The 
only  cleaning  that  is  necessary  can  be  done  with  a  soft  broom. 

An  additional  convenience  is  provided  by  Brooks  Faced  Channel  Tile  which 
enables  gas  and  water  pipes  and  electric  conduits  to  be  concealed  within  the  walls 

Page  twenty-seven 


Page  twenty-eight 


of  the  building,  which  eliminates  the  extra  expense  of  making  unsightly  patches. 
There  is  also  available  a  Combination  Jamb  and  Corner  Tile  which  makes  it 
possible  to  have  all  corners  maintain  the  regular  size  and  shape  of  tile  units  that 
are  used  throughout  the  wall  and  still  produce  perfect  joints. 

Horizontal  air  spaces,  which  confine  the  air  in  the  walls  at  practically  the  same 
uniform  temperature  at  the  floor  level  as  at  the  ceiling,  ensure  proper  insulation 
which,  in  turn,  effects  marked  savings  in  fuel  cost. 

While  the  actual  photographs  reproduced  on  these  pages  give  some  suggestion 
of  the  pleasing  effects  that  are  possible  with  Brooks  Faced  Hollow  Tile,  it  really 
must  be  seen  in  a  wall  to  be  fully  appreciated.  Possibly  the  best  evidence  of  its 
albround  superiority  as  an  artistic  building  material  is  the  steadily  increasing  large 
number  of  modern  but  economicallyTuilt  buildings  in  which  it  is  being  used  with 
complete  and  lasting  satisfaction. 


Louis  M.  Upton,  Architect  Interior  H.  B.  Pasmore  Studio,  Berkeley,  California 

Tfote  the  unequalled  harmony  of  the  Broods  Faced  Tile  wall  surfaces 


Page  twenty-nine 


Siz,es  and  Shapes  of  Brooks  Faced  Hollow  Tile 


Tile  No.  A  1 
Load-bearing  tile  tor  8" 


Tile  No.  A  2 
Load-bearing  tile  for  8" 


Tile  No.  A  3 

Used  with  A  1  and  A  2  for 
\2'A"  wall  and  for  partitions. 


Tile  No.  A  4 

Used  with  A  1  and  A  2  for 
12>-2"  wall  and  for  partitions. 


Tile  No.  A  5 

Closer  and  filler  to  correct 
bond,  etc. 


Tile  No.  A  8 

Channel  tile  for  vertical  pipe 
and  conduit. 


Tile  No.  A  9 

Channel  tile  for  vertical  pipe 
and  conduit. 


Tile  No.  A  10 
Combination  jamb,  corner  and 
closer  for  wood  sash  and  doors. 
Grooved  lug  chips  off  with 
trowel  when  used  as  corner 
or  closer. 


Tile  No.  A  11 
Combination  jamb,  corner  and 
closer  for  wood  sash  and  doors. 
Grooved  lug  chips  off  with 
trowel  when  used  as  corner 
or  closer. 


Tile  No.  A  12 
Combination  jamb,  corner  and 
closer  for  wood  sash  and  doors. 
Grooved  lug  chips  off  with 
trowel  when  used  as  corner 
or  closer. 


Tile  No.  A  6 

Channel  tile  for  vertical  pipe 
and  conduit. 


Tile  No.  A  7 

Channel  tile  for  vertical  pipe 
and  conduit. 


Tile  No.  A  13 
Combination  jamb,  corner  and 
closer  for  wood  sash  and  doors. 
Grooved  lug  chips  off  with 
trowel  when  used  as  corner 
or  closer. 


Tile  No.  A  14 
8"  corner  only. 


Page  thirty 


Construction  Detail  Brooks  Faced  Hollow  Tile 


Wa/I  Detail  Sho 


wm<j 


12?  and  &"  Construction 


!  Al 

□ 

n 

A  3 

1 

y 

Al 

-A  12 


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courses  Etc 

Page  thirty-one 


aye: 

com:.:* 


In  Conclusion  -  -  - 

IT  is  earnestly  hoped  that  the  information  presented  in  this  book 
will  be  of  genuine  assistance  to  everyone  interested  in  the  dura¬ 
bility,  beauty  and  final  economy  that  is  made  possible  by  the  use  of 
Portco  Clay  Products. 

The  Port  Costa  Brick  Works  stands  squarely  behind  all  its  prod¬ 
ucts  and  is  keenly  interested  in  co-operating,  as  far  as  is  possible, 
with  architects,  owners  and  builders  to  the  end  that  the  fullest 
measure  of  lasting  satisfaction  may  be  secured. 

Everyone  interested  is  invited  to  ask  for  any  further  information 
they  may  wish  to  have  at  any  time  regarding  Brick  and  Hollow  Tile 
in  general  and  Portco  Clay  Products  in  particular. 

A  FEW  NOTEWORTHY  BUILDINGS  IN  WHICH 
PORTCO  CLAY  PRODUCTS  ARE  USED 

Pacific  Telephone  is  Telegraph  Co.  Building,  San  Francisco,  Calif.  Miller  is  Pflueger,  Architects, 
Lindgren  is1  Swinerton,  General  Contractors. 

Pacific  Telephone  is  Telegraph  Co.  Building,  Bush  Street,  San  Francisco.  Bliss  6?  Faville,  Archi- 
tects,  Dinwiddle  Construction  Co.,  General  Contractors. 

Hebrew  Home  and  Hospital  for  Aged  Disabled,  San  Francisco,  Calif.  Samuel  Lightner  Hyman, 
Architect,  Reed  and  Reed,  Mason  Contractors. 

Medico  Dental  Building,  San  Francisco,  Calif.  Geo.  W.  Kelham,  Architect,  Geo.  Wagner,  Inc., 
General  Contractor. 

Hartford  Fire  Insurance  Co.  Building,  San  Francisco,  Calif.  Bakewell  is1  Brown,  Architects, 
Dinwiddle  Construction  Co.,  General  Contractors. 

Central  National  Bank  Building,  Oakland.  Calif.  Geo.  W.  Kelham,  Architect,  Walter  J.  Mat¬ 
thews,  Associate  Architect,  Dinwiddie  Construction  Co.,  General  Contractors. 

Masonic  Home,  Decoto,  Calif.  Wm.  Mooser,  Architect,  Larsen  is  Larsen,  Mason  Contractors. 
Kappa  Sigma  Fraternity  House,  Berkeley,  Calif.  C.  C.  Dakin,  Architect,  Joe  Devillers,  Mason 
Contractor. 

City  and  County  Hospital,  Tubercular  Ward,  San  Francisco,  Calif.  Herman  Barth,  Architect, 
Emil  Hogberg,  Mason  Contractor. 

Jefferson  School,  San  Francisco,  Calif.  J.  R.  Miller,  Architect,  Mealey  isf  Collins,  Mason  Con¬ 
tractors. 

Harrison  Street  School,  San  Francisco,  California.  John  Reid,  Jr.,  Architect,  Emil  Hogberg,  Mason 
Contractor. 

Southern  Pacific  Depot,  Sacramento,  Calif.  J.  H.  Christie,  Architect,  Larsen  is  Larsen,  Mason 
Contractors. 

% 

The  Port  Costa  Brick  Works 

SAN  FRANCISCO,  CALIFORNIA 

Page  thirty-two 


